Album Review: Devin Townsend Project-Ghost

As I said when I reviewed Devin Townsend's other new album, Deconstruction, Devin Townsend is one of the most unpredictable musicians around. His explorations across the musical spectrum are unmatched by anyone else in the music industry. That's why it pains to me to say that Ghost is the first Devin Townsend album that I don't enjoy.

Ghost is easily the most mellow Devin Townsend record to date. I was actually pretty excited to hear Ghost at first. I was very intrigued to hear his take on acoustic, ambient music. Unfortunately Ghost is a pretty damn boring record to listen to. The diversity of Townsend's music is completely abandoned here. This is such a one-dimensional and dull record. Every song sounds just about the same and drags on for a long time. It's extremely repetitive, lyrically and musically. I kept thinking it was going to get better, but it never really did. It just continued to drag and bore the living hell out of me. I never thought I would call a Devin Townsend record boring, but Ghost is just that.

Ghost just didn't click for me. I am sure there are a lot of people that will love it, but I just found this to be a really uninteresting listen. I don't what it is, maybe it's not my cup of tea, but I really didn't find much to like here. It's not like the music is hear is completely awful, it's just that I just didn't enjoy it. Ghost is the first Devin Townsend record to date that I haven't enjoyed. I will continue to listen to Deconstruction and his other works frequently, but I don't think I will ever listen to Ghost again.

2/5 Stars

Movie Review: The Dilemma (Film Number 3 In My Goal For 2011 Films)

"The Dilemma is a mess". That's how I would summarize The Dilemma in one sentence if anyone asked me my opinion on it. The Dilemma is one of the most muddled films I have seen in quite some time. It can't decide if it's a comedy or a drama and it really doesn't do either well. The laughs are very few and far between and the drama comes out of the blue and feel very awkward. I will say the cast is the main reason this isn't a complete disaster. None of the excellent cast is on the top of their game, but they do enough to save this film from being absolute shit. This is probably the worst project Ron Howard has been associated with as a director. I was honestly surprised he did this film considering his resume. The Dilemma is an uneven mess and is it currently the worst film I have seen this year(the second film in a row that I've seen on DVD to claim that honor.)

2/5 Stars

10 Most Underrated Bands In Metal(Songs By The Bands Featured)

Here are some songs by the bands in the previous post. Enjoy!

The 10 Most Underrated Bands In Metal

This is the set of bands that I really don't get enough attention in the metal scene and kind of full under the radar. These ten bands, more than other bands in metal, deserve a bigger following and more respect for what they do. Without further ado, here are my picks for the ten most underrated bands in metal

Fleshgod Apocalypse: Fleshgod Apocalypse is a brutal/technical death metal from Italy. What has really struck me about their sound, is their insane speed and classical-influenced orcherstra arrangements. Their use of strings adds a fascinating component to their remarkably heavy sound. If you are going to Summer Slaughter this year, show up early and check these guys out.

Howl: Howl is a sludge/doom metal from Rhode Island. Even with only one full-length record under their belt, they have already established themselves as one of the best sludge bands around. They have mastered the lost of art of the riff and I can only see them getting better over time. Check Howl if your a fan of Mastodon,Crowbar, or High One Fire.

The Human Abstract: The Human Abstract is a progressive metal band from California. Outside of their disappointing second record, Midhaven, The Human Abstract have been making some of the best progressive metal around. The highlight of  their band is their spectacular guitar players Dean Harrera and A.J Minette. Their blend of progressive and technical guitarwork is astonishing. New vocalist Travis Ritcher adds even more depth to The Human Abstract and was a big part of why their latest release, Digital Veil, is their best to date. I would especially reccomend The Human Abstract if you are a fan of Between The Buried and Me or Periphery.

Intronaut:Intronaut is a progressive/post-metal band from California. Intronaut first caught my attention when I saw them open for Mastodon two years ago. I have been a big fan of their work ever since. Their last two records Prehistorcisms and Valley Of Smoke, are among the best records I have heard in the past 5 years or so. They are able to make such a stunning mark with their insane instrumentation that features prominent use of bass and drums and a variety influences from all across the musical spectrum. Intronaut has one of the absolute best bass players on the planet, their use of bass is one of the big reasons their such a special band. Check out Intronaut if you are a fan of The Ocean, Isis, or Baroness.

Last Chance To Reason: Last Chance To Reason is a progressive metal band from Maine. Last Chance To Reason is one of two bands on this list that I've only known about for a few months. I checked them out because they were playing NEMHF in April and I was really impressed with what I heard. They have a lot of progressive elements thrown in with chaotic bursts of keyboards and quick-fingered guitarwork. Their vocalist, Mike Lassard, has one of the impressive ranges in all of metal. He can hit every octave flawlessly and he is such a great talent. Last Chance To Reason is a must listen for fans of Between The Buried and Me, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and The Human Abstract.

Painted In Exile: Painted In Exile is a experimental metal band from New York. These guys are a completely mind-blowing band. The level of musical complexity they have at a such young age is staggering. Each and every one of their songs is a god damn roller coaster ride. They will come with some fast stuff, then go into a breakdown, then throw in some progressive soloing and then maybe some full on jazz parts. Their sound is completely unpredictable. What really blows my mind about them is they haven't even released a full-length album yet. If their two EP's are any indication, we could be looking at one of the best bands in metal. Listen to guys pronto if you are a fan of The Contortionist,Between The Buried and Me, or Veil Of Maya.

The Red Chord: The Red Chord is a death metal/deathgrind band from Massachusetts. The Red Chord is easily the most seasoned band on this list. They been grinding it out for over ten years now and they don't get nearly enough credit. They have been responsible for some of the best extreme metal of the past decade. Their creativity and unique approach sets them apart from most of the extreme metal crowd right now and the fact they aren't more popular is astonishing. If you haven't check out The Red Chord by now, you are really missing out. If you are a fan of The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, or Cephalic Carnage, check out The Red Chord ASAP.

Revocation: Revocation is a death/thrash metal band from Massachusetts. The number one reason Revocation is spectacular is David Davidson. He is a great vocalist and an incredible guitar player. The whole band was classically trained at Berklee, so you know these guys can play. Their diverse musical background makes for some interesting arrangements. Revocation puts together thrash and death metal seamlessly. Check out Revocation, if you are a fan of Metallica,Death, or Arch Enemy.

Son Of Aurelius: Son Of Aurelius is a technical death metal from California. Son Of Aurelius released an incredible debut last year in The Farthest Reaches. I was blown away right off the bat with their complex song structure, excellent deranged vocals, and fascinating lyrics about Greek Mythology. Son Of Aurelius is probably the most criminally underrated band in all of metal. Check them out if you are a fan of The Faceless or The Black Dahlia Murder. 

War Of Ages: War Of Ages is a Christian metalcore band from Pennsylvania. What really makes War Of Ages standout is their brand of old-school metalcore. They have old-school hardcore influence thrown in with some melodic death metal. A lot of metalcore bands that have emerged and become more popular than War Of Ages in the last few years that aren't even close to as good as these guys. Their exposure has been upped quite a bit after tours with As I Lay Dying and Times Of Grace which is great. I hope their popularity continues to arise, they are one of the best metalcore bands to emerge in a long time. I highly recommend War Of Ages to fans of As I Lay Dying, Sick Of It All, and Unearth.

I will post some songs to check out by these bands in a few minutes once I gather the YouTube links.

Album Review: Morbid Angel-Illud Divinum Insanus

Where to begin with Morbid Angel? They are without a doubt one of the most iconic death metal bands ever. Personally, their debut, Altars Of Madness, is my favorite death metal record of all-time. So when I first heard about their new record, I was fucking stoked. It was the first Morbid Angel record in nine years and it marked the return of original vocalist David Vincent. With David Vincent back on vocals and this being their big comeback record, no way could it be bad right? WRONG! Illud Divinum Insanus is one of the most disappointing records ever made and it completely soils the name of Morbid Angel.

I don't even know where to start with this record's problems. First off, the god damn techno influences really shouldn't be here. It sounds like Morbid Angel got into fucking Skillrex or some other dubstep shit and just threw these parts in the songs for zero reason at all. These parts are completely unnecessary and just come of as a really stupid addition to their sound. If that wasn't bad enough, they also throw in some serious nu-metal elements. I almost shed a tear when I heard David Vincent scream "Kill, Kill, Kill A Cop" at the beginning of the biggest disaster on the album "Radikult". Is this really the same dude that did vocals and lyrics on classics like Altars Of Madness and Covenant? When the hell did he become Fred Durst? The laughable lyrics and vibe don't end here. Tracks like "Too Extreme!" and "Pro-Foundus-Mea Culpa" in particular, also pile on the laughs. "Too Extreme!" opens with the lyrics "We are your new religion/no religion", you really can't help but laugh out loud at those lyrics. Most of the record is a complete laughing stock. I honestly couldn't believe this was a Morbid Angel record. You really wouldn't expect this big of a stinker to come from a band that was so fucking good back in the day and had not released a bad record previously.

Illud Divinum Insanus is completely fucking horrible. If I hadn't head the new Emmure this year, it would absolutely be the worst record I've heard so far this year. The techno/ nu-metal is far too prominent and laughable to make this album even reasonably enjoyable. The death metal side of Morbid Angel doesn't even come out that much on this record and when it does, it's rarely good. The only I would say is even above average is "Nevermore". That was the only track on the whole record where I felt like I was listening to anything that was created by Morbid Angel. I just really hope they can bounce back from this. I do have faith with David Vincent back in the band that they can do something special, but they need to go back to the drawing board and erase Illud Divinum Insanus from everyone's minds.

1.5/5 Stars
Standout Track
1.Nevermore

Album Review: Devin Townsend Project-Deconstruction

Devin Townsend's solo projects are completely unpredictable. Every single one has been completely different and Deconstruction  is no exception (His other new album Ghost, I will review within the next few days). Deconstruction is the heaviest and best of his solo releases to date.

Devin Townsend's different approach on each record is what makes him such a special artist. Deconstruction is the heaviest of his solo projects to date. Along with the increased heaviness, is a blend of chaotic and progressive elements. Townsend is in his element when throwing in all these different influences onto a track. Townsend's previous two solo projects Ki and Addicted! were a lot more restrained from Townsend's metal background. Deconstruction unleashes a full-fledged metal attack that more than makes up for the lack of heavier material on Ki and Addicted!. Not to say I didn't enjoy Townsend's previous two records, it was just awesome seeing him go back to a more metal sound. What makes Deconstruction that much more special is the slew of fantastic guest artists on the record. Having people such as Greg Puiciato from The Dillinger Escape Plan, Joe Duplantier from Gojira, and Tommy Rodgers from Between The Buried and Me adds to the fun of Deconstruction. Townsend brought in some of the best vocalists in metal to make these already great tracks even better. The variety of vocalists he brought in is also spectacular. Each vocalists is completely different from one another and provide an excellent contrast with Townsend's vocals.

Deconstruction is the biggest triumph of Devin Townsend's solo career. It's the heaviest and most spastic record of his entire career (yes including his time in Strapping Young Lad). Townsend's progressive elements go really well with intensity of the material. It's also great to see Townsend's witty sense of humor back on this record. There are moments of this record were I was laughing out loud. Deconstruction is one of the most enjoyable, fun, and just plain best records I have heard this year.

4/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.Planet Of The Apes
2.Stand
3.Juular

June In Film

June should be an interesting month for films. A good majority of the remaining films I want to see for the rest of the summer come out in June. It also has the largest number of films that I completely up in the air on. Here my thoughts on the releases of June.

Films I Want To See
3.Super 8(6/10-This is another great looking sc-fi film from J.J Abrams. Abrams did the script and directed it, which is a promising sign. His work is normally fantastic (especially Star Trek). I love the mystery vibe of the trailer and I am really intrigued to see this film.

2.X-Men: First Class(6/3)-There are almost too many reasons to list why I want to see X-Men: First Class. Matthew Vaughn, who directed two of my favorite films of all-time (Kick-Ass,Layer Cake) is helming this. He is such a fantastic director and his style of direction fits in very well with a comic-book film. The cast is also completely top-notch. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Rose Byrne all look to be perfect choices for their roles. On top of all this, The early buzz and trailers are fantastic. I would say all signs point to brilliance on X-Men: First Class.

1.Transformers: Dark Of The Moon(6/29)-I expect to get some shit for this, but what I can say? I love the Transformers films. This looks to be better than the somewhat disappointing second installment and Megan Fox is gone, so I would say the chances of this being better than the previous installment are quite high. If they can recapture the magic of the first one, then this will most likely end up being one of my favorite films of 2011.

Films I am unsure about
Green Lantern(6/17)-Green Lantern is shaping up to be the biggest question mark of 2011 for me. The trailers I have seen have ranged from god awful to pretty decent looking. The cast ranges from horrible actors to great actors. I still don't know what to think. It's way too risky to see in theaters, but I am extremely curious to see this on DVD.

Bad Teacher(6/24)-The trailers are actually decently amusing and I do like the cast. The only redflag is that it was written by the writing team that did the unholy comedic disaster Year One.

Cars 2(6/24)-It is Pixar, but I didn't like the original. This one doesn't really look to be much better, but it's Pixar so I will give it a chance.

Films I have no interest in seeing
Judy Moody and The Not Bummer Summer(6/10)-Just no.

Mr.Popper's Penguins(6/17)-I do love Jim Carrey, but this looks completely stupid. Unlike most people my age, I actually never the read the book so I have zero nostalgia for it. This looks to be a completely tired misfire of an adaption.